BS: need guidance on 'shelter' for kids

Subject: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 11:05 AM

I'm looking for advice, esp. from social workers, teachers, people like that.

I belong to a small congregation with a big building in the heart of Kansas City. Recently, we were offering prayers before a long holiday, and a member who is a teacher prayed for "children who will leave school for the holiday and return to homes which are filled with chaos, hunger, and danger."

So we are thinking of getting grant money or something and setting up a place for children to come to during the day when they need to get out of the house. Maybe they feel threatened, maybe they just need somebody to talk to.

We realize we would need better restrooms and locks. Other than that, we have no idea how to start. What do we do next? What do you call such a place? Who do we talk to?

Here's a thought. When I was a kid, it was a real treat not to have to go to school. Today, so I'm told, there are many kids who do not want to be off school. They don't want to be sick, they don't enjoy holidays. As one teacher told me, "At school, nobody hits them."

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: Tiger
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 01:31 PM

I think you're opening a bag of snakes, and believe you have no right to be there.

No quarrel if you want to work to improve family environments, but this idea, though noble, is just misguided meddling.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 01:41 PM

There are many places that serve the need, even if they are not specifically named for the purpose.

I agree with Tiger to the extent that such a place should not be promoted as a haven from home- instead, make it an interesting, creative, stimulating destination where the young can meet each other as well as adult mentors and guides. It could even be presented as a preparatory portal to vocations.

There are many retired people who are eager to share their insights and expertise in their fields.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 02:08 PM

God bless you leeneia for your concern and compassion. Here in UK we have Holiday School Clubs for all children who wish to attend. They involve daytime activities (during weekdays in the long summer hols) such as drawing and painting, sports and races, competitions etc, writing and performing plays, making music, dressing up on a theme (also face-painting) model building with junk such as cardboard boxes and bits of plastic, children's 'keep fit' and and dance. These Clubs are held on school premises, where the equipment is already in place and there are toilets, seating, playing field and playground, plus dining area. It may be possible for your local authority to authorise use of a school during the hols. The main thing is to be sure you are actually allowed to do this, as here all adults in contact with children must be vetted with Police checks etc. There may also be a minimum number of adults required per numbers of children, and safety regulations should be adhered to, including First Aiders. It may need an inspection by a Safety Officer. Parents' consent is always required , with a formal signature on a form. Sorry to go on and on, but I managed a Club like this in Glasgow for just the type of children you describe, and it went well. I did it for 3 years running until I left for England. I can write yet more on this subject if you wish, and I pray for the success of your idea.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 02:35 PM

Kansas City is almost certainly a large enough area that there are already places similar to what you propose, although they may not be widely known. Your KC phonebook probably lists a variety of social services that may help you find one - (if KC is still one of the places where a phone book is still published).

Advice from an existing facility similar to what you want to do is likely to be a lot more useful than what you get from "people with a great idea" that nobody's tried out.

You may find that adding your assistance at an experienced facility will be far more effective than attempting to create something new, even if it means just offering a service in your facility as an extension of someone else's. You may confidently assume that anyone doing something of this kind is in need of more help than they receive easily from the community.

John

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 10:05 PM

Thanks for the insights, especially to you, Eliza, since you've done something similar.

The church building has a lot of 'school-like' space.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 10:15 PM

Here we call em youth centers. You will want to check your denom rules for certifying adult vols as non-abusers because if you are successful in attracting young people whose homes are dysfunctional, accusations against vols will follow. You might also check local daycare regs because in a way this will be childcare and prob regulated as such. That is where the building code requirements will get expensive.

You will also want to consult the church's provider of liability insurance.

An option to consider for channeling the congregation's desire to help might be Big Brothers/Sisters org with appropriate background che is for applicants, while you all think this one thru.

Best of luck!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter'for kids
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 11:20 PM

we call them recreation centers and they have special sessions during school vacations.

good luck!

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter' for kids
From: Joe Offer
Date: 06 Feb 13 - 11:26 PM

Hi, Leeneia - check to see if there's a local Boys and Girls Club (formerly Boys' Club). You may find it best to support their operation, or they may help you set something up if there's a need in your area. They've been around a long time, and they do wonderful work.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter' for kids
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Feb 13 - 10:03 AM

Recreation center
Youth center

Thanks for the terminology.

I know about the checks. I volunteered at a grade school and had to get checked by the cops.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter' for kids
From: GUEST,mg
Date: 07 Feb 13 - 01:32 PM

All good deeds are fraught with peril these days. Would the children be sent by their parents with some sort of written authorization? Would there be an invitation to kids to just leave their abusive homes without parental permissiona nd come to your agency? Would the police drop truants off? How do parks manage? Kids just go there..I don't know but I would totally think through the legal aspects with a lawyer or two...If there is no express permission an abusive parent could cause all sorts of trouble, even though that is exactly the respite you want to give these kids.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter' for kids
From: GUEST,Stim
Date: 07 Feb 13 - 09:35 PM

It might be best to contact programs that already exist to find out more about what programs exist already, and how you can fit in. I googled "youth centers, Kansas City" and came across a place called
Vanderberg Youth Center that seems to be part of something called "City Union Mission". A little networking might help you find both direction and support.

There are more kids than ever living in single parent homes, and they need a safe, friendly, and supportive place to be whenever school is out, but their parent, usually Mom, is working. They need help with homework, too.

An awful lot of crime takes place between 3-6pm, and we need to offer kids that need it shelter so that they are neither victims nor perpetrators.

Many blessings for choosing to follow this calling...this is not misguided meddling, this is an act of great love.

Subject: RE: BS: need guidance on 'shelter' for kids
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 07 Feb 13 - 11:59 PM

Thanks for the concrete suggestions, Stim.

Somebody told me that 'safe haven' would be a helpful search term. Ha! Safe haven refers to places that can accept unwanted infants, usually less than 30 days old. So it's good to get tips from people with experience.